How much does each component affect sound?

[Pansbjorne]

Like if headphones were a 5/10 on how much they affect sound, would amps/dacs be like a 2/10? Cables/interconnects like a 1/10 or 0.5/10?\

I guess another way of phrasing it is what to invest the most into.

I'm curious what people's thoughts are, and more importantly, what my expectations should be when upgrading.

 

[silent-circuit]

Headphones 5/10
Amp 3/10
DAC 2/10
Cables: none, unless they're outright broken / terrible designs.

 

[CoryGillmore]

Headphones 5/10
Amp 3/10
DAC 2/10
Cables: none, unless they're outright broken / terrible designs.

I feel the same way about amps and DACs as you feel about cables. I’d put headphones at an 8 or 9 out of 10 and everything else to fill in the rest. I’d say amp would be next important but only in cases where more current is needed, like with harder to drive headphones.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Headphones 5/10
Amp 3/10
DAC 2/10
Cables: none, unless they're outright broken / terrible designs.

I also probably agree with this. But remember one part of the equation may affect another. Meaning a darker amp will go well possibly with a brighter headphone, and vice versa. Thus maybe more of one item actually correcting another.

Thus the sound is from the whole thing. But at times one piece of equipment makes a bigger difference. Meaning you may have 2 different amplifiers and replacement on one amplifier causes the characteristics of that amp to be of greater value than 3. And in a sense there is no number, not a 3, due to the special amp character making the whole system workout.

 

[baskingshark]

Headphones 5/10
Amp 3/10
DAC 2/10
Cables: none, unless they're outright broken / terrible designs.

Agree with this, though I would add eartips in the equation too. Eartips can really make or break and IEM, for fit, sound signature and isolation. Case in point -> BL-03 with crap stock accessories.

I would probably grade it as:
Transducer (headphone/IEM/earbud) 5/10
Eartips 1/10
Amp 3/10
DAC 1/10
Cable - none for me, but then again, some are cable believers, so YMMV


And perhaps we should also talk about transducer types. Some drivers like planars or low sensitivity stuff need amping. Other multi BA high sensitivity stuff may not need amping at all.

And another issue is perhaps diminshing returns. Like at the TOTL segment, getting a summitFI transducer will need synergy at the downstream components, and some might find not big difference switching from a summitFI IEM to another summitFI IEM. Whereas if one changes from a budget IEM to summitFI IEM directly, some may perceive night and day differences.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Agree with this, though I would add eartips in the equation too. Eartips can really make or break and IEM, for fit, sound signature and isolation. Case in point -> BL-03 with crap stock accessories.

I would probably grade it as:
Transducer (headphone/IEM/earbud) 5/10
Eartips 1/10
Amp 3/10
DAC 1/10
Cable - none for me, but then again, some are cable believers, so YMMV


And perhaps we should also talk about transducer types. Some drivers like planars or low sensitivity stuff need amping. Other multi BA high sensitivity stuff may not need amping at all.

And another issue is perhaps diminshing returns. Like at the TOTL segment, getting a summitFI transducer will need synergy at the downstream components, and some might find not big difference switching from a summitFI IEM to another summitFI IEM. Whereas if one changes from a budget IEM to summitFI IEM directly, some may perceive night and day differences.

Ear tips are a total total factor! They can result in either you loving an IEM or not! Surprised as I’ve been doing this for so long, but have recently (in the last few years) come to realize the importance now of ear tips!

 

[Redcarmoose]

Like if headphones were a 5/10 on how much they affect sound, would amps/dacs be like a 2/10? Cables/interconnects like a 1/10 or 0.5/10?\

I guess another way of phrasing it is what to invest the most into.

I'm curious what people's thoughts are, and more importantly, what my expectations should be when upgrading.

The interesting part of your question is the return on investment.

You will see all kinds of people being totally happy with HD600/HD650/HDXX. You will find a bunch of folks finding great sound (to them) with equipment which you may judge as cheap?

There is the almost limitless area of summit-fi......but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee you acceptable sound. The trick is to find your tone. Or if not one exact tone, two styles of sound response. It’s a style of response that sounds natural and correct. Also you’ll be able to use it for long periods of time without questioning its ability or even noticing that it’s there.

It’s really all about having the experience to know what you like. Unfortunately the same thing isn’t always the same for everyone.

So Head-Fi is people in transition, people confused and people who are relatively happy for long periods of time. It is somewhat of a riddle and a journey of sorts. But spending more and more doesn’t always guarantee you the best results.

 

[GREQ]

My ratings:
• Headphone 7/10
• Amp 2/10
• DAC 1/10
• Cables 0/10

Things that shouldn't affect the sound of the equipment you own, but do:
• Online reviews 4/10
• Higher prices 3/10
• Cognitive bias 2/10
• Other peoples opinions 1/10

 

[Deolum]

Headphones 4/10
Source 3/10 (Streamer, Vinyl, CD-Player etc)
Amp 1/10
Dac 1/10
Power cables 0,9/10
Other cables 0,1/10

 

[ThanatosVI]

Headphones 4/10
Source 3/10 (Streamer, Vinyl, CD-Player etc)
Amp 1/10
Dac 1/10
Power cables 0,9/10
Other cables 0,1/10

This is the most accurate so far.

I suggest putting power conditioners in there as well.

Headphones 4/10

Source 2/10 (Streamer, Vinyl, CD-Player, source file/recordings etc)

Amp 1.5/10

Power conditioner 1/10

Dac 1/10

Power cables 0,4/10

Other cables 0,1/10

 

[HipHopScribe]

Assuming you're using a modern, solid-state chain I'd say:

Headphones 8/10
Amp 1.5/10
DAC 0.5/10
Cables 0/10

You throw in tubes and this would change to weight the amp more (maybe 3/10?). Super efficient IEMs would also change the math (cables might actually matter and amp matching become a little trickier). Really inefficient headphones would bump up the amp score too.

 

[Pansbjorne]

This is the most accurate so far.

I suggest putting power conditioners in there as well.

Headphones 4/10

Source 2/10 (Streamer, Vinyl, CD-Player etc)

Amp 1.5/10

Power conditioner 1/10

Dac 1/10

Power cables 0,4/10

Other cables 0,1/10

How does source affect things? Like vinyl I understand, but shouldn't an mp3 from a cd player be the same as an mp3 from a phone or computer if it's all the same file?

 

[Pansbjorne]

The interesting part of your question is the return on investment.

You will see all kinds of people being totally happy with HD600/HD650/HDXX. You will find a bunch of folks finding great sound (to them) with equipment which you may judge as cheap?

There is the almost limitless area of summit-fi......but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee you acceptable sound. The trick is to find your tone. Or if not one exact tone, two styles of sound response. It’s a style of response that sounds natural and correct. Also you’ll be able to use it for long periods of time without questioning its ability or even noticing that it’s there.

It’s really all about having the experience to know what you like. Unfortunately the same thing isn’t always the same for everyone.

So Head-Fi is people in transition, people confused and people who are relatively happy for long periods of time. It is somewhat of a riddle and a journey of sorts. But spending more and more doesn’t always guarantee you the best results.

Yea, I'm still looking. Guess I'm just trying to get a sense of where I should be changing things up.

 

[ThanatosVI]

How does source affect things? Like vinyl I understand, but shouldn't an mp3 from a cd player be the same as an mp3 from a phone or computer if it's all the same file?

Should have changed that to show more detail.
Source for me is the source material as well.
I.e. a mp3 file vs the same track on CD.

 

[Lumithium]

Headphones: 7.5/10
DAC: 1/10
AMP: 1/10
Cables, sources etc for the remaining points.